Author's note: Gomen nasai for taking so long to update Rebuilding. I've been busy and distracted.

This part is dedicated to one of my readers, Ehren. He's the main reason why this part got out at this time and not much later. It was really unlikely for another Rebuilding update this month due to numerous reasons, the foremost of which is laziness. Thanks to him, I forced myself to quit being lazy and typed up what I wrote. Again, thank you very much, Ehren!

Further note: I write from character viewpoint. Every time you see a ***, it means I have changed character viewpoints. For example, the second character viewpoint belongs to Bart, after him, it's Citan's viewpoint. You can take a guess at who made the beginning quote.

A double line of stars means that a significant amount of time has passed.

*** ***

Part Eight of the Aveh-Nisan Chapter of Rebuilding

War and Love

Written by Yen (May 2000)

***

City Gates

Bledavik, Aveh

Bart's hands pressed flat against the hard brick of the battlements. His one good eye narrowed as he looked on eastward to the waiting mutant army stationed beyond artillery range. Nearer, the shield glowed faintly, a reassuring shimmer to the defenders.

He fought down the urge to pace the length of the road running the top of the city walls' perimeter. It wouldn't do to let the troops see his impatience, especially since it may be looked upon as nervousness. What are they waiting for? He could see the restlessness of their enemy. Like insects, they appeared to be swarming. Their sheer number and mass was evident and formidable. By one of the guns, he could hear the soldier stationed at it gulp nervously.

Bart took a deep breath and released it quietly. Directly in front of Bledavik's gates, Andvari waited for him. It would lead the main group of gears. There were two other groups.

From the northwest of the city, the muffled thunder of gears lifting off from the gear docks echoed reassuringly in the desert twilight. It would be a few more hours until dawn.

Moments later, strong blasts of air encouraged the troops stationed on top of the city gates to scatter and to locate less vulnerable positions. Bart simply braced himself as Fenrir and Heimdal landed beside Andvari.

***

"What took you two so long?" Citan didn't answer Bart's query. Instead, he gave Yui a look. His wife looked away from the accusation in his eyes to gaze up skyward, silently proclaiming innocence.

Before a sigh of exasperation could escape him, he glanced at Bart and asked pointedly, "When did Yui become platoon commander?"

Bart's eyebrows lifted. "... Ever since months ago. Sigurd made her a honorary commander after he saw how well she fought those mutants." Bart tilted his head slightly at the blank look on his face. "Er... didn't you know about that? I thought Sig told you about it."

No... no one told me about it... He shot a look at Yui who had begun to hum softly, still looking at the stars. Bart added, "Margie and Billy knew about it, and they agreed that she should hold an officer's rank."

"... And you decided to keep me in the dark?" Citan directed the question at Yui. To her credit, she had the grace to look just the slightest bit embarrassed. Golden eyes finally met his reluctantly. "It isn't a big deal, Hyu-"

"Of course, it is a big deal!" He didn't notice Bart back away from them. "If you kept the fact about your promotion hidden from me, what other secrets are you not telling me?!"

Yui's eyes flashed. "Don't raise your voice, Hyuga." She crossed her arms stubbornly. "I do not have to explain anything to you."

"You are my wife, Yui!"

"Being my husband doesn't make you my keeper."

***

"Sir?" Bart looked away momentarily from Citan and Yui to the Lieutenant Faisal. "Yes, Lieutenant?"

Faisal hesitated before asking, "Why is Dr. Uzuki making such a big deal about this?"

"... I wish I knew as well." Though perhaps he understood a bit. He too would make a big fuss if Margie was joining the battle too...

A sudden gust of wind nearly bowled him over as Vierge zoomed overhead and began to hover above them.

***

"Margie, go back to the palace!"

"You can't tell me what to do, Bart!"

Guilt made him glanced uncertainly at Yui. She was watching Bart and Margie argue with an unreadable expression on her face. ... It was unfair of me.

"You're not battle-trained!"

"Yes, I am!"

Yui turned towards him as he approached. Her chin lifted slightly, defiant but the softness in warm eyes belied it.

I am sorry... Her thoughts brushed through his mind even before he could say his apology. I love you, Hyuga. Always remember that.

"Yui..." He took her hand and lifted it to press a kiss against her palm. His eyes flickered close as he breathed in a familiar and gentle fragrance. "... Promise me you will take no unnecessary risks," he whispered, half demanding half pleading.

He didn't need sight to see her smile. I will be careful, Hyuga, I promise.

***

Fatima Mausoleum

Nisan

...elly... you hear me... respond...

Fei! Elly bolted up awake and snatched the com unit from her bag.

e...ly... where... you...

"Fei!" She shouted into the receiver. Her cry roused those around her who had been resting and attracted those awake. She licked her lips nervously when the receiver remained silent. "Fei! We're here!"

... ank God! ... ly, where are...

"The shielding and distance underground is interfering with the signal," informed someone behind her.

Sr. Agnes shook her head. "There is nothing we can do about that."

Elly took a deep breath before speaking into the transmitter again. "Fei, we are in the mausoleum. I repeat, Fei, we are in the mausoleum."

... copy that... heading there... be... soon....

She found her fingers trembling as she tried to keep her hand steady around the com unit. Fei... Around her, hope brightened weary and tired faces. One of the younger sisters started to cry with her companions trying in vain to hold back their own tears.

He's coming... Fei's coming... The small hand unit fell from listless fingers as Elly wrapped her arms around herself. Shouts and cries of relief echoed through the cavern as the human spirit once again rose over despair and loss.

***

Yddrasil IV

Enroute to Nortune, Kislev

"ETA fifteen minutes."

Rico nodded absent-mindedly at Kahr, keeping his eyes locked on the viewscreen. On it was the real time image of distant Nortune. The silver city glowed in the surrounding darkness, a shining beacon. Then, a flash of yellow red and orange lit up part of the city.

One of the officers shouted, "Sir! That explosion was in Jugend!"

Below and beside him, Jessiah cursed, "Damn it!"

Hopeless rage nearly blinded Rico. It was happening again. The Hetch attack years ago, and the fire that almost destroyed the entire city long before that. Nortune is burning again. Ashes would cover the city again. ... No!

He snarled at the helmsman, "Increase speed!"

"... We can't, Sir. If the ship goes any faster, the engines will overheat in five minutes."

"We are already past full throttle, Rico," Billy's calm voice managed to cut through the anger around him, but did little to quiet it.

"I don't care if the engines burn! Increase speed!"

The helm officer looked at Ramsus, and Rico almost leaped down and attacked him. He barely heard Jessiah's rough voice. "I want this rustbucket to move faster too, but it won't help if she breaks down before we reach the city."

They don't understand! It's my fault Nortune is burning... With a growl, he jumped down from the high seat and stalked towards the helm.

"Rico, don't!" Billy shouted behind him. "Stop him!" Jessiah commanded.

Lieutenant Simms and Navigator Malthus bravely blocked his path and were easily tossed aside for their effort while Helmsman Gales who remained at his post looked back over his shoulder nervously. He yelped when Rico's hands clamped down hard on his shoulders.

"Rico!" He glared back at Ramsus who had not moved an inch from his position beside the captain's chair. A wolfish grin touched his lips when he saw that he had Rico's full attention. "I will not have you endangering this ship and its crew," he said softly. "Remember, you are only a paper-pusher now. I'm the one who really commands this ship."

He slowly released Malthus and turned towards Ramsus. "... What exactly are you trying to say, Commander?"

He held his gaze steadily before shrugging. "Just that you are letting your emotions get the better of you." Gold eyes glittered at him warningly. "I will not have you push my people around."

... He dares to challenge me... Painful realization hit him. They're all against me!

***

Rico is crying... Concerned, Billy rushed towards him only to run into Jessiah's arm. The angry remark to his father died when he saw the sad expression on his face.

"No, Billy, this is something Rico has to deal with alone," he said softly

How could he be so cold?! "He's in pain," he whispered harshly. He looked back at Rico and saw tears well up in lost eyes before flowing down still cheeks. He didn't utter a single sound. "... I have to help him."

Again, Jessiah held him back, and Billy shouted at him, "I'm not like you, father! I can't stand to see people in pain!"

Identical blue eyes locked. "Don't stick your nose into other people's business, Billy!"

"Rico's my friend! Unlike you, I don't abandon my friends and family!"

Jessiah's eyes turned icy. "Back to that again, aren't we? I didn't have a choice!"

"You abandoned us! Mother died because of you!"

Even as his father faltered and looked away, he continued relentlessly. "She shouldn't have kept on waiting for you. You don't deserve her love."

Jessiah hit him.

***

... This cannot be... Primera could only watch helplessly as Billy scrambled to his feet and charged their father who was taunting him. Past them, Ramsus had pulled his saber from its scabbard and was fighting with an enraged Rico.

Lieutenant Simms was dumbfounded. "... S-sirs...?" Malthus suddenly screamed, "It's hopeless! We're all going to die!" Gales grabbed and slapped her. "You shut up, Tanya!" He was tackled from behind by another officer. "How dare you hit her?!"

She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head violently. ... This cannot... cannot be happening... She froze upon the unmistakable sound of a gun cocking.

***

Billy pressed his hand to his bruised cheek as he stood up slowly. His gun arm rose to aim at Jessiah when Primera slammed into it.

He snarled at her, "Idiot, get out of the way!" When she continued to hang onto his arm tightly, he flung her away towards Jessiah, who caught her.

"You're always defending him!" Billy shouted at her. "I took care of you, not him, and just what thanks do I get!" The sight of tears forming in his sister's eyes irritated him further. "Don't you dare weep for him!"

Jessiah was livid. "Stupid! She's crying for you!"

"Hah! They're for you. They're always for you! She cries herself to sleep every night you are away!"

"What the hell is the matter with you, Billy?! You're acting like the devil himself!"

"I'm not the one who makes her cry, father!"

"Stop it!"

***

Primera pulled herself from his arms to stand between them. Her small form shook. "Stop it..." She pleaded, this time softly. She took a step further towards Billy who was frozen and staring wordlessly at her.

"Billy..." Small pale hands reached up to cover her brother's hand holding the gun. "Billy, please stop."

Jessiah whitened when Billy's eyes flashed. He was about to snatch Primera away when his son shuddered and collapsed to his knees. "Prim..." He whispered as his sister embraced him. His arm fell to his side as he returned Primera's hug with his other arm.

"... I-I'm sorry, Prim. I... I don't know why I said all those harsh things to you."

Jessiah walked to stand over them as Billy glanced up at him. He smiled inwardly. He knew full well he wasn't going to get an apology from his son.

Primera said gently, "It's okay, Billy."

A sharp clank, and Jessiah whirled around to see Rico blocking a sword strike from Kahr. !?!

***

Ramsus ducked as Rico's fist slammed into the wall behind him. An instant later, he rolled aside as Rico followed through with a kick. His ears burned with air heated by mere contact friction. He had no desire to experience first hand just how powerful Rico was.

"Are you two crazy?!" Jessiah's bellow distracted him, and his foot slipped as he tried to stand up.

"Kahr, watch out!" He tumbled forward as a fire spin scorched his previous position.

"Simms, call security!"

"What in heaven's name is going on?!"

"Gales! Wintry! Desist immediately! Simms, quit gawking and call security!"

"We're going to die!"

... Ramsus stilled as he fought the calm fogging his mind.

"Bridge to Sickbay! Kelvena, we have wounded here! ... Sickbay! ... Communications is dead!"

"What the hell is going on here?!"

"Daddy, watch out!"

He looked up to see Rico attacking Jessiah.

"Rico! Stop it!" Billy grabbed Rico in a neck hold and struggled to pull him off his father.

Ramsus stood up and snatched his saber from the floor. Extending his arm, he braced the blade against it and charged.

"No!" A small form darted into his path, and Ramsus crashed into Primera.

***

Maddened by the irritating weight on his back, Rico released Jessiah to reach back and to grab Billy's arm. He uttered a startled cry before he was thrown off and up to come tumbling down on Gales and Wintry.

Turning back to Jessiah, Rico suddenly fell forward when someone behind collided into him.

Simms cried out, "Miss Primera!"

***

"Miss Primera!"

Prim?! Billy struggled up, eliciting moans of pain from the two men under him. His legs flailed, his feet unable to gain purchase on the decking.

"Prim!" Jessiah was on his knees, pushing Ramsus off his sister who laid still against Rico's back. ... Oh God! No! Red blood bloomed on her chest where the blade had impaled her.

"Prim!!!"

***

"Oh God! Please no!"

... What...? Groggy, Rico pushed himself off the deck and rubbed his temple. He grimaced when pain throbbed in his lower back. He reached back and stiffened when he felt the sticky warmth of blood. ... What happened...?

"Someone get the medics in here!"

"We can't! The doors won't open, and the intercoms are still dead!"

Bright blue light suddenly blinded him, and he winced as he slowly got up to his feet and turned around to see Billy cast healing ether on his sister. !?!

***

"What happened?!" Jessiah looked up from his place beside Billy who was holding his daughter in a healer's embrace. Rico was staring at them with wide shocked eyes.

Unable to help himself, he shouted, "My daughter just saved your worthless hide, that's what!"

"... I-" Rico faltered and stepped back unsteadily, closing his eyes, "... How... what happened...?"

Anger possessed him, and he stood up to confront Rico. "You tried to kill me, remember?!" He spat into the other's face. "If it wasn't for Prim, you would be very dead right now... In fact..." A small pistol appeared in his hand, and it's barrel pressed up hard into Rico's jaw. "I should kill you right now," he vowed softly.

"No..." He hesitated upon hearing Prim. "Dad-dy... no..." He looked back to see Billy helping her up to a sitting position against him. His son was exhausted and said nothing, simply content to hold his sister in his arms. Prim stared at him pleadingly. "Don't kill him." His fingers tightened even as the muscles in Rico's neck relaxed. He glanced back to Rico who seemed resigned to his fate.

"... He almost killed you, Princess..." Jessiah whispered.

Behind him, Prim began to cough, and Jessiah pressed down on the trigger.

"After you are done with him, do me next, Jessie." He paused. ... Why not... Kahr had a hand in it too. "Remember, it's my sword that did it. Don't forget that," Kahr elaborated softly, prosecuting himself.

"... Don't worry, Kahr, I'll do you next," he promised.

"Daddy... no... please..."

"Don't look, Prim," Billy whispered.

He found himself thinking, Good idea, Billy boy. Wouldn't want Prim to see the mess this will make. Rico was waiting.

"No! Not yourself!" Prim suddenly screamed. He looked back just as ether lit from her, encasing the bridge interior in a silver glow.

***

"What an intuitive little girl." Kahr rubbed blinded eyes while his mind automatically tried to identify the speaker. He couldn't.

When his eyes cleared, one of the bridge crew was standing beside Billy and Primera. He kneeled down and peered interestedly at Jessiah's daughter. The little girl was staring back at him with Billy still looking dazed.

The unfamiliar officer said, "How fortunate for me. I never expected to find talent in a have."

"Who the hell are you?!" Jessiah left Rico who slumped down to his knees, and stalked towards the stranger. A step away from his family, he suddenly froze.

"I don't have time to deal with garbage, but if it helps, I am called Nathan by friend and foe alike." Nathan then smiled at Primera. "You, on the other hand, can call me sensei." She shrank back when he reached out to touch her face.

Billy choked, "W-what do you mean?" To speak clearly was becoming an effort for them.

"Insignificant insect," Nathan said rather magnanimously, "your sister is going to be my pupil." He added, "You should be glad."

"Leave my daughter alone," Jessiah grated out. He moved stiffly, struggling against invisible bonds.

"Don't be too worried." Primera shivered as his fingers caressed her cheek. "Your princess will be happy with me." Ether again glowed around her, and he frowned. "Extending your barriers won't release them this time. I was just playing a while ago."

Primera shook her head wildly, and her ether brightened in intensity. Nathan looked impressed. "You do learn fast, little princess, but it won't help you or them." He suddenly looked bored. "You're using mallet where a needle would do."

"Shut up!" She shouted at him, and without warning, Billy's fist shot out, striking Nathan in the face.

***

Satisfaction surged inside him as a stumped Nathan stared at them pained disbelief. Blood bleed profusely from his nostrils, and Billy was sure he broke his nose.

Lord, forgive me, but enjoyed that! Billy grinned at his sister, who smiled back at him. "Thanks Prim! Now, better release the others." Whatever Nathan did to them, Prim could undo it.

She nodded and closed her eyes, concentrating on her task. Billy carefully set her aside when Nathan recovered.

"Fools! Do you really think it's that simple?!" Without warning, his chest muscles constricted forcing air out of his lungs. Black swirled on the edges of his vision as he fought to breathe. As he lost consciousness, he heard his sister scream. 

*** 

War Room

Bledavik, Aveh

"Kahr..." Sigurd stared at the image of his friend on the comscreen. "... How bad is the situation onboard the Yddrasil right now?"

"Very bad," replied Kahr immediately, "Most of the crew is injured, about one-tenth of them require nanosurgery while an additional quarter need extensive ether rejuvenation. The rest have minor injuries, but most of them are in no condition to handle sorties in Nortune." He paused before continuing on, "I'll have to rely more on the troops from Bledavik which will be arriving within the hour via shuttle."

Sigurd leaned back against his chair with a sigh born part of disbelief, frustration and fear. "How... how could one man inflict so much damage in such a short time?"

"He was no ordinary man or mutant, Sigurd."

"I know that, Kahr, but still, his power is..." Sigurd fell silent. "Could you tell me more about his power? Exactly what did he do?"

Kahr hesitated. "... It's diffi-" He broke off and glanced away from the screen.

"... Kahr, please, we need to know more about the enemy."

It was a while before his friend looked back at him.

"I was little less than a robot, Sigurd." Gold eyes flickered close momentarily. "At first, that was how I felt. I knew exactly what I was doing. I even understood what I was doing. I neither dislike or like it."

"... That sounds like what happened months ago."

"At the Refounding Anniversary? I read all the reports on it."

Sigurd shook his head. "I wish you were here at that time instead of having to remain at Jugend." His hands tightened. "Hyuga and Bart said that the mutants they fought with acted like robots, like trained pets. They were unable to capture the Reaper who was leading them."

Kahr's next words were discouraging. "It's not the same mutant. The mutant who attacked us could pass as a have. He's not the Reaper that was described in the facsimiles."

"There are more of these commander mutants then... and their control is not limited to the have-nots as we had thought."

"Jessie's daughter was able to interfere with his control. Unfortunately, she was kidnapped by him."

***

Bledavik City Walls

"Damn..." With that soft expletive, Bart turned away from the comscreen to stare at their still far off and waiting foe. Beside him, Margie whispered, "How are Billy and Sir Jessiah taking this?"

On the screen, a somber Sigurd answered, "They're in Nortune right now, leading advance squads with Rico. Ramsus is waiting for reinforcements to arrive. ... If they even have the slightest idea where Primera is..."

Hyuga continued, "They would abandon their duties." His dark eyes flickered close. "... I would do the same if it had been Midori taken."

Hyuga... Yui glanced at him before looking back to Sigurd. "... Why did they take her?" Monsters! Even children are their prey.

Sigurd looked uncertain. "Ramsus could only say that she was able to interfere with the mutant's power." His blue eye narrowed. "He said that initially, their emotions and thoughts had been manipulated... twisted to the point where they started fighting each other on their own accord."

"What?!" Bart whirled back to his brother, his eye wide with horrid realization. "... You're saying that we could be controlled just like those mutants!"

Sigurd answered with a single short nod. Hyuga exclaimed, "This is appalling!" Margie pressed a hand to her mouth in dismay.

"Is Ramsus sure about this, Sig?!" Bart demanded. When Sigurd gave no answer other than a silent stare, the anger drained from him to be replaced by despair. "... This is just too much."

"... There is something else." When no one deigned to reply to his statement, Sigurd continued softly, "When Primera released Billy from his control, he made Billy's heart stop."

***

The Citadel

Seth was furious. "Nathan, your target is Bledavik not Nortune nor the Yddrasil IV!" His followers backed off nervously from them, preferring to watch the argument from a farther and safer distance.

Nathan sneered at him, "Shut up, Seth. I know what I am doing."

That did it. It was one thing to defy him in private, an unforgivable insult to do so in public. Seth's eyes flashed, and waves of unseen energy ensued from him to converge on Nathan.

...

Nathan laughed menacingly. "What's wrong, Seth? You look worried."

Seth ignored the inquiring rumble of mutters and grumbles from their audience and focused on Nathan. His eyes narrowed when his mind's eye saw what his sight had not seen. There was a faint silver glow encircling his rival. What the...?

With an exaggerated flourish, Nathan removed his cloak, revealing a slender silver-hair girl underneath. She was cowering, her eyes tight shut and held firmly against him. Seth recognized her.

"That's Jessiah Black's daughter. Why have you brought her here?"

"Take a guess, Seth," Nathan challenged tauntingly. His arm tightened around her, eliciting a small cry from the helpless child.

Seth stiffened when the silver brightened. "... She's a talent..." Automatically, he moved towards them, pausing when Nathan possessively pulled her closer to him. Green eyes watched him warily, relaxing only when he kept his distance from them.

Seth frowned darkly at him. He had not forgotten Nathan's transgression and deliberate disobedience to his command. "This does not excuse your actions. You jeopardized our mission by attempting to take command of the battle fortress. You should have remained at your post at Bledavik."

"Idiot!" Nathan rebuked him. "I attempted to take over the ship in order to use it and its crew to our advantage."

"That crew were all false ones! You took control of false ones!"

Nathan smiled at his accusations and glanced down to his captive. "That's why I made them squabble among themselves." One hand reached up to grip the girl's chin and forced her to look up at him. She squirmed in his embrace as a thumb traced her mouth. "They would have all been dead if it wasn't for this pretty little thing."

A have who had the talent, and from what he had seen and heard, she was a reverse talent. Seth redirected his mental energies from Nathan to Primera Black. Nothingness confirmed his theory. He could sense none from her. The absence of a mental signature was the reason why Nathan had been able to hide her so throughly from him. ... Did he even have a clear idea of what she was?

Seth mentally shook his mind, clearing away questions and curiosity. There was no time to mull over this not when Nathan had let the enemy take glimpse of their cards.

Nathan murmured, "She was able to interrupt my control." Of course, she would be able to that just by augmenting her mental energies. Perhaps it was just as well that Nathan disobeyed him. They now had a trump card that their foes didn't even now they had possessed though the advantage may very well be null if the enemy knew their hand.

"And what of your other misdeed, Nathan?" He asked softly.

Nathan stiffened and straightened defensively, slacking his hold on the girl.

***

Nisan

Fei stared at his comlink at Citan's concerned visage being displayed on its tiny screen. "... Doc, could you please repeat that?"

"Further lab tests have shown that the virus has left unknown trace elements. While harmless on their own, they can be agitated to lethal consequences by inducing abnormal nerve impulses in the brain."

"..."

Citan blinked at his blank face and released a loud sigh. "Do you know what epilepsy is, Fei?"

"The falling sickness, right?"

"Correct. Those trace elements I mentioned appear to be microscopic receivers. When it receives the proper signal, its host experiences a seizure."

"You mean he goes into an epileptic fit."

"That states it accurately enough."

"Is that what happened to Billy?"

"Yes, Fei and, others near him experienced similar seizures at fortunately lesser degrees. Jessiah and Kahr recovered quickly enough to revive Billy before he sustained brain damage."

***

The Citadel

"How did it feel to have your heart yearn to stop beating, Nathan?"

"... H-how did you know-"

"I could hear your pathetic Death Call from even so far away."

Seth slammed him against the wall. Nathan's hands clawed at his throat as he lifted him. He could feel vulnerable neck bones quiver under his fingers. Seth tightened his strangle hold. "You imbecile! The Death Call is only to be used as a last resort!" He pounded Nathan's skull into the wall again. "I trusted you! How dare you betray me?!"

Nathan coughed weakly as blood dripped from his mouth. "W-why are you so upset?" Green eyes gleamed belligerently at him. "It's not as if you didn't expect it." Still, he showed such spite even as he choked on his own blood.

Seth looked away and released him abruptly. Nathan landed hard on his backside with a moan. "I thought of all of my students, you would see what the Death Call really was." He walked away, not seeing Nathan's confused expression.

"... Just what the hell are you talking about, Seth?!"

He paused and glanced back. ... How at fault I was... "You still don't see it, Nathan?" I had so much faith in him. "Why do you think your heart nearly stop as well when you used the Call? Why did you had to run away from them?"

There was silence then the clattering noise of hard boot heels hitting against the marble floor. He turned back to see Nathan barely standing and leaning back against the bloodied wall for support. He screamed, "You must be out of your mind!"

Finally, he understood. Seth shrugged and looked around to his silent disciples before lifting his head up to stare up at the open dome of the citadel. As he watched, the dark ebony of night began to fade as day demanded its time.

I promise victory. We either win or we all die.

***

All are winners when all are losers...

To be continued…